Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 to 11, inclusive, together.

I travelled to the United States on Friday, 12 March for engagements in Chicago, San Jose and Washington. There was a very strong economic dimension to my visit, including a trade mission to Silicon Valley and Washington DC involving more than 75 Irish companies and meetings with leading US companies. The over-riding priority for the Government over the St. Patrick's Day period was to send a strong positive message about Ireland's plan for economic recovery and the actions we have taken to confront our economic problems and to build a sustainable economic future for our people.

While in Chicago, as well as attending community events, I met with Governor Pat Quinn of Illinois, Mayor Richard M. Daley of Chicago and members of the Global Irish Network based there.

I travelled to Silicon Valley on Sunday, 14 March. While there, I met with the Mayor of San Jose, the President of Stanford University, Mr. John Hennessy, and I was briefed by the Irish Technology Leadership Group. I also launched a new Irish network in America and I opened a new Irish innovation centre. I met with senior representatives of leading US multinational companies with successful investments in Ireland, and a number of Irish companies that are successfully doing business in the United States. I also addressed a major business lunch in Silicon Valley. In the course of my address, I focused on the Government's economic recovery plan, with a particular emphasis on the smart economy and the implementation of the report of the innovation taskforce, which is central to our economic renewal.

My programme in Washington began on Tuesday 16 March with a meeting with the economic advisory board and members of the Global Irish Network. We had a very useful exchange on the current economic situation both global and domestic. I also met with Congressman Richie Neal and the friends of Ireland group and discussed recent developments in Northern Ireland and the undocumented Irish.

Later that day I announced the appointment of Mr. Gabriel Byrne as cultural ambassador for Ireland. The appointment recognised the worldwide importance of Ireland's culture and its profound connection to our economy, which was one of the major conclusions of the global Irish economic forum at Farmleigh. The cultural ambassador will work closely with the Government, Culture Ireland and artistic bodies to develop an artistic vision that is inclusive of the Irish diaspora throughout the world. Later that evening I addressed the American Ireland Fund's gala dinner, where the honouree was Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. In the course of my address, I thanked the Secretary of State for her contribution to the peace process, including her continued interest and assistance in the process in recent months and weeks. While in Washington I also met with Northern Ireland First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA and Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MLA.

On St. Patrick's Day, I attended a breakfast meeting with Vice-President Biden at his residence. After breakfast, I travelled to the White House for a bilateral meeting with President Obama. Our meeting focused on the push for global economic recovery, recent developments in Northern Ireland, European and international issues and Ireland-US relations including immigration reform. Later, I attended lunch on Capitol Hill hosted by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. I also met with Senators Chris Dodd and Pat Leahy and we discussed Northern Ireland and economic developments.

My programme in Washington concluded with a reception in the White House, where I made the traditional presentation of shamrock to President Obama, as a symbol of the continuing close ties between our two countries. We both paid tribute to the memory of Senator Ted Kennedy, whose absence was keenly felt on Capitol Hill this St. Patrick's Day.

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